Rush Oxford Street Review: You by Rush

I love getting my hair done, especially when it includes a colour too – I love going in for a few hours, catching up on magazine gossip and basically getting away from it all (all the while, being made to feel that little bit prettier than you did when you came in) – but as much as I like that escape, sometimes a hair appointment needs to be convenient above all else. Rush is a chain of salons that I think manages to get a great balance between the escape/pampering experience and the convenience of getting something done that just needs doing.

The chain recently launched a new concept for the salons – following some in-depth customer research they came up with the idea of ‘You by Rush’. The idea is basically that if you want to come in for a total image overhaul, or if you want to pop in for a quick trim or a blow dry – then they will listen and deliver what you want. Without being swayed by trends but at the same time staying ahead of fashion so if you come in looking for the latest look (say the latest version of the ombre look) then they know what you mean and will be able to do it for you.

I really like the concept – but at the heart of it is a very basic service. That you can go in, feel comfortable to ask for what you want and leave feeling happy with the result. I went along to my appointment at the Oxford Street branch (between Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road station) with an open mind, but wanting a bit of a refreshed look.

My stylist, Jo – was lovely – she listened well to what I wanted and talked through options. Initially I was keen to go darker at the roots to try and enhance/create a bit of an ombre look. My roots are naturally a little darker as my natural colour is a slightly darker blonde but whilst I (think I )can see the difference – most people can’t tell the difference at all. My idea was to get my natural hair darker so the grown out highlights/lighter bits create more of a contrast.

Which could all be done, but Jo was really helpful in pointing out that whilst it could be done – it is a high maintenance change as firstly, the darker bits do naturally wash out quickly and the colour that does stay would mean when my lighter roots grow through I would have an odd look of darker hair, lighter roots…As soon as I heard the words ‘high maintenance’ I knew it wasn’t the look for me. So Jo suggested going for a few fine highlights in the top, so I subtly brighten up the colour and then some chunks of lighter colour underneath to get the brighter ends. So that’s what I went for.

I should probably note again here, that whilst I could tell the difference – the colour is subtle. More of a brighter look rather than notable colour change. It’s kinda the downside of being a blonde and wanting to stay blonde – but still look different…

But beyond my colour choices there are a few other details that make Rush strike that special balance between convenience and pampering:

Convenient – Lots of locations, near tube stations all over LondonPampering – The head massage & offer of treatments in the washing areaConvenient – You can book on line (where there’s also often offers for reduced prices)Pampering – Drinks and nibbles. Need I say more (I had juice as it was early morning, but there’s also wine)

See, such a good balance between convenience and luxury. Love the whole You by Rush concept – at the end of the day it’s all about being listened to and going in and leaving feeling comfortable.

7 Comments

I must admit my eye was drawn straight to the pretzels ha! I love the basic concept behind the Rush brand, it’s what all hairdressers should be striving to achieve yet I bet you could phone some salons and they wouldn’t even know what ombre was! Lovely little post – would of been lovely to see a picture of your hair afterwards.

About Jen

Jen started A Beauty Junkie in London in 2009 as a little creative outlet. Since then her obsession with beauty & sharing little snippets of life online has built one of the most established UK beauty blogs.